Last updated 17 hours ago | Originally Published: April 25, 2025
Grippo’s Chips has been a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s snack culture for over a century, transforming from a small sugar cone operation in 1919 to a beloved regional icon known for its irresistible potato chips! This fifth-generation family-owned business, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, has captured hearts with its commitment to quality and tradition, earning a 4.8/5 rating from hundreds of reviews online. Not to mention, this brand also has a cult-like following across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, so it’s well-known for all the right reasons!
As the official chip of the Cincinnati Reds, FC Cincinnati, and Xavier University athletics, Grippo’s holds a unique place in the community, blending nostalgia with bold, crave-worthy products. With distribution reaching cities like Columbus and Indianapolis and a growing online presence on platforms like Candy Retailer, Grippo’s continues to solidify its legacy as a must-try potato chip brand, known for its crispy texture and distinctive taste that keeps fans coming back for more. As someone from the region, I say without a doubt that they’re better than most of your mainstream brands. I won’t say any names, but you guys already know!
On a personal note, I’ve known and enjoyed this brand all my life, and I’m 45, so I have a lot of experience with Grippos! Over the years, I’ve tried every flavor and chip type they offer, including other Grippos products like BBQ seasoning, BBQ Sauce, pretzels, beef jerky, and cheese popcorn! However, nothing comes close to their Bar-B-Q potato chips; in my opinion, those are the best ever, even better than your favorite BBQ chips! You can view the top 10 brands here, a fact-based list we published not long ago. Now we present you with the best Grippos Chips!
1. Grippos Bar-B-Q Potato Chips
These are my all-time favorite BBQ chips; they’re sweet, smoky, and blow away any big-name brand, including the best-selling of them all. The problem is, most people not from this region have never heard of Grippos, so if that’s you, we have something new for you to try! Every time I have them, I’m reminded of childhood days; perhaps they’ll remind you of something similar. I’ve loved them for as long as I can remember, and they’re still the best. Now that you know who has the best BBQ chips, the only thing left to do is try them! If you know, you know!
2. Grippos Plain Potato Chips
Grippos Plain Potato Chips are no-nonsense and awesome! Made daily from fresh potatoes, no preservatives, they’re simply just the best. Plus, they’re super crunchy and strong enough for dipping! As with BBQ, I’ve been a fan forever, and never once have I had a bag that disappointed me! In my opinion, they pair with any type of sandwich, whether it be a cold cut or a big, fat turkey sammy; either way, they hit the spot every time! To know if they’re the ones for you, click below, choose the best package option, and bring ‘em home! I recommend going with the 1.5lb box!
3. Grippos Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips
Grippos Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips have a sharp vinegar bite that I love, balanced with the right amount of salt. Not to mention, they’re crazy crunchy and tough to stop eating, one bag is never enough! However, I must be honest, Lay’s Salt & Vinegar is my favorite, but that’s only because it was my first love! Grippos are way healthier for you and made fresh, but whenever I’m in the mood for this flavor, I always forget about them, which is a problem, but what can I say, I’m addicted. So, if you’re not like me, pick up a bag and give ‘em a chance!
4. Grippos Sour Cream & Onion
Sour Cream & Onion Grippos are rich-tasting and comforting, perfect for chilling with a show or sharing with family or friends. They’re crispy and hit that classic taste just right. I’ve eaten these for years, and Grippo’s does them better than most. As for another moment of truth, when it comes to this flavor, I have to give it up to Ruffles! I love Grippos, too, don’t get me wrong, but they’re thin, and I like this flavor to be on a thick, wavy potato chip, which you may totally disagree with, but it is what it is! So, how about you?
5. Grippos Carolina Classic BBQ Potato Chips
Carolina Classic BBQ Potato Chips are sweet and smoky, with a Southern taste unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. The chips are crisp, and the seasoning’s bold enough to go the distance, consistently holding from start to finish! I can’t compare to anything I’ve ever had before, so when it comes to Carolina BBQ Chips, they’re #1, as there are no competitors, not that I know of anyway! If you know of something similar that I should try, let me know in the comments below; I’d love to try what you have in mind.
6. Grippos OnYums Onion Flavored Rings
OnYums Onion Rings are light, crunchy, and have a sweet onion taste that’s fun to eat, just like Funyuns! They’re not as intense as potato chips, which makes them great for casual snacking, at least for me. I like them when I want something different than traditional chips, but still in the family! In comparison to Funyuns, I OnYum better! In my opinion, they’re a little lighter-tasting, not so overpowering, which I really enjoy, plus they’re consistently crunchy, with no occasional hard pieces. To compare yourself, pick up a bag below and go to town!
7. Grippos Sweet Maui Onion Wavy Potato Chips
Grippos Sweet Maui Onion Wavy Potato Chips are extra crunchy with a sweet onion flavor that’s mild and super tasty! They’re less bold than other Grippo’s options, which I like for a relaxed, flavor-packed snack. They go great with a sandwich. However, that’s about the only time I really enjoy them. They’re good, but not as they are; they need to go with something, but that’s just me, though, and you may think I’m totally out of my mind, which is cool, I respect all opinions! So, if these sound good to you as they are, pick up a bag and prove me wrong!
8. Grippos Bar-B-Q Snack Rings
Grippos Bar-B-Q Snack Rings are light and crisp with a smoky-sweet flavor. They’re not as strong as the potato chip version, but still decent for munching. I usually grab a few bags when I have a party or get-together; they never disappoint. In my opinion, they’re a lot like OnYums, but BBQ. I ranked them #8 because I don’t eat them very often; when I’m in the mood for Grippos BBQ, I automatically go for their chips every time!
9. Grippos Cheddar & Horseradish Wavy Potato Chips
I promise you, Grippos Cheddar & Horseradish Wavy Potato Chips are unlike anything you’ve ever had. They’re crunchy and well-made, but the flavor is a bit too much for everyday snacking. Nonetheless, I respect Grippos for taking a risk! The problem for me is that my taste buds don’t like horseradish, so I never really got the chance to like them as I’d like to, but at least I gave them a shot. If you love this flavor or want something new and different, these might hit the spot for you! There’s only one way to find out…
10. Grippos Hot & Spicy Pork Rinds
Pork rinds aren’t my thing—I’ve tried them many times, but the taste doesn’t work for me, even from Grippo’s. These have a solid spicy kick that I think people will most certainly enjoy, especially if they like hot & spicy pork rinds! However, I’m not knocking them; the quality is a 10, but my tastebuds disagree with me every time I’m tempted to try one and do it. So, other than that, there isn’t much I can say, but hey, if you love hot pork rinds, definitely give these a go!
11. Grippos Plain Pork Rinds
Lastly, we have Grippos Plain Pork Rinds, which are crunchy and high-quality, but I just can’t get into them, not even a little bit. As mentioned before, pork rinds just don’t do it for me, no matter the brand, but these are probably great if you’re into them. I’ll stick to Grippo’s traditional potato chips, but these are well-made for folks who enjoy this kind of snack. We sold them for years here at Candy Retailer, and I never once read a bad review, so they might be the one you’ve been looking for, but there’s only one way to know for sure!
As someone from Indiana, I can totally confirm Grippo’s cult status here. People really do go out of their way to grab a bag—it’s one of those snacks that feels like home, especially if you grew up around the area.
As someone who grew up near Cincinnati, I totally agree that Grippo’s holds a special place in the local snack scene. The BBQ chips especially bring back memories of summer games and school lunches.
This ranking made me realize how many of my food memories are tied to Grippo’s. Funny how something as simple as a chip can bring back so much nostalgia!